Nigerian government challenges Chinese company’s attempt to seize presidential jets

By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu

KANO, Nigeria (AA) - The Nigerian government commenced legal and diplomatic moves Thursday to recover three jets from Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet that were seized by a French court in restitution for Ogun State’s revoking of a contract with a Chinese company.

The government accused Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited of attempting to seize the jets, which are undergoing maintenance in France.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said his office and that of the National Security Adviser have already set in motion both legal and diplomatic steps to ensure the discharge of the inappropriate orders against the aircraft.

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity in the Office of the Attorney General, Kamarudeen Ogundele.

“The Offices of the National Security Adviser and the Attorney-General of the Federation have already set in motion both legal and diplomatic steps to ensure the discharge of the inappropriate orders against the aircraft, which are covered by sovereign immunity.

A French court had authorized the seizure of the three jets, including a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737 and an Airbus 330.

The jets were seized following an application by Zhongshan, whose export processing zone management contract was revoked by the Ogun State government in 2015.

The court order prohibits Nigeria from moving or selling the presidential jets until Zhongshan has been paid $74.5 million by Ogun State.